What Should I Do for a Dental Emergency While Traveling?

Posted: Wed, Aug 8, 2018

Summer vacations should be a great time for you and your family. Running into dental emergencies while traveling can put a damper on your fun, though. Keep the following information in mind, so you’ll know how to handle any emergencies that might come up.

Book a Cleaning Before Vacation

Before leaving for your summer vacation, schedule cleanings for everyone. This helps ensure that no one has cavities or other dental problems that might get worse while you’re away.

Stick to Your Usual Routine

Make sure that everyone in your family has their toothbrush, toothpaste and floss while traveling. You and the rest of your family should all brush and floss as you normally would, even when you’re busy on vacation. Brush and floss at least twice a day to lower your risk of dental problems.

Pack for Emergencies

What should you bring with you while you are away from home? Pack some clove oil, which you can use to reduce pain if anyone has a dental emergency. You should also bring dental wax for kids with braces and the phone numbers for your dental office so that you can get in touch with them during vacation for an emergency.

Eat and Drink Carefully

Avoid eating or drinking cold or hot foods if they bother sensitive teeth. You should also avoid eating foods that can get caught between teeth and damage them, such as hard candy and popcorn. Limit sugary foods and drinks during your trip as well, since they raise the risk of tooth decay.

How to Handle an Emergency

If you or a family member has a dental emergency, keep the following in mind:

Lost crown. Use an over-the-counter dental adhesive, dental cement or toothpaste to temporarily replace a crown that falls off.

Chipped teeth. Store any pieces you find in case they can be replaced. Rinse your mouth with warm water, and slow bleeding using gauze or a tea bag.

Lost filling. Place a piece of sugarless gum where the filling was, then seek prompt care to have it replaced and prevent infection.

Tooth abscess. Mix a half teaspoon of table salt with eight ounces of water, and use it to rinse your mouth numerous times a day. Seek emergency care if it becomes worse.

Lost tooth. Rinse the tooth with warm water, then put it back into your mouth. If you can’t, put the tooth in salt water or milk and bring it to the dentist as soon as you can.

Brace or wire problems. Put a broken wire back in place using a pencil eraser, then apply dental wax. See your orthodontist when you’re back home.

If you have a tooth injury while traveling, make sure that you get the care you need in your current location. When you’re back home, contact Premier Dental Care to set up an appointment. Our dentist can check your mouth to ensure that your injury is healing properly or provide you with any additional care that is needed.